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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get a puppy 4 weeks before DC3 is due?

66 replies

FanellaFidget · 08/03/2011 19:42

Other Dc's are 5 and 2.

Well... am I ?!

Grin
OP posts:
Normantebbit · 08/03/2011 19:57

You are bonkers

Original poster
FanellaFidget · 08/03/2011 19:57

This isn't a fleeting thought, BTW.. I've wanted one for years, but babies something always seems to get in the way. Feel like it's never going to happen.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 08/03/2011 19:58

You will still live in a place brilliant for dogs in a years time. :)

Get the puppy then, not now.

majormayhem · 08/03/2011 19:58

Well... I did it, but not by choice. DH (in his infinite wisdom) decided to present me with a miniture poodle pup as a surprise when I was 7 months pregnant. Shock

I love dogs, but boy the timing was not ideal. It wasn't the house training, as he was sorted within a week. And luckily he doesn't shed hair, so not too much extra cleaning. And he's tiny, so doesn't need too much exercise. And I do have to admit, he's bloody adorable.

But even then he was a pretty big PITA for the first year. I didn't really have the time or energy to enjoy him at the time, which is sad. I love him now, but I would have liked to get a puppy when the girls were older and I had time to dote on him.

Original poster
FanellaFidget · 08/03/2011 19:59

We're not talking a Great Dane, or even a Labrador, here either. just a little one, if that makes a difference? Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
FanellaFidget · 08/03/2011 20:00

You make a good point major - I want to enjoy it.

OP posts:
DarrellRivers · 08/03/2011 20:01

yes
and yes, even a little one needs walking and training and consistency in it's first months
you won't be up to it no matter how good you are at coping
and i love dogs
don't do it
wait a few years
there will still be a dog for you then

DarrellRivers · 08/03/2011 20:02

sorry , wayward apostrophe
[runs before the pedants attack]

Original poster
FanellaFidget · 08/03/2011 20:02

Knew you'd all side with DH

OP posts:
Joolyjoolyjoo · 08/03/2011 20:03

Please please don't- just wait. You will be so busy with your new baby that time will fly, and before you know it you will be further down the road and far better placed to look after a puppy.

I see it all the time- think it is the maternal hormones. Then see the same folk coming back in a few months later moaning that the dog has behavioural problems, but they don't have the time/money/ inclination to put in the time and expense of sorting them out Sad Even though it was probably their lack of time and inclination that caused the problems in the first place.

Or worse, they get a collie, which needs time, exercise and stimulation, gets none of any of these, gets frustrated and nips one of the children Sad Sad

Pleeeeaaase wait

memphis83 · 08/03/2011 20:07

i got a puppy this week after months of searching, i have a 7 month old baby and people think im bonkers, im glad i got one now as baby is on the move but after my birth i had a lot of stitches and the thought of having to bend down to pick up dog poo in those 1st weeks makes me wince!
he cried and barked for the whole night the 1st 2 nights, he is going toilet outside but only if im out there with him, it seems the garden is a bit scary for a puppy!! he gets upset when the baby cries too, think of the puppy could you keep him in his routine for his 1st few months? its not fair on him or your DC's if not, good luck what ever you decision!

peeriebear · 08/03/2011 20:08

Doooon't Doooo Iiiiiit! My bf was bought a tiny lab pup when she was heavily pregnant. This was 12 years ago- she still has the dog, now slower and creaky bless her- but I remember those early months when she was struggling with a newborn and a crazy super energetic puppy that needed letting out constantly or it would wee by the door. Oh she was stressed!

MothershipG · 08/03/2011 20:09

Well done for putting your sensible head on! Smile

I had to wait until I was 40, youngest DC was 4 and I was made redundant before I got my first dog (always wanted one). Now, 5 years later I have 3, making up for lost time!!!

Choufleur · 08/03/2011 20:12

We got our dog in January. Waited until DS was nearly 5. It's still hard work - DS has to come for walks and moans about being tired, the rain, the sun, mud ......

Get one when the baby is a lot older.

myhouseisnotamess · 08/03/2011 20:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LDNmummy · 08/03/2011 20:14

Not a good idea IMO. Love dog's and have even converted my DP to loving domestic animals but not a good idea. I really badly want a puppy when DP and I get our own place this summer but with a LO on the way I know it would be too much to handle and not fair on LO or puppy. Gonna wait till little one is 2, and even then it will depend on domestic workload at the time. Reeeeaaallllyy want one though, if you do get one I will be so Envy

saffy85 · 08/03/2011 20:14

YABU someone will get neglected and my money is on the puppy....

BornThisWayBaby · 08/03/2011 20:14

Dont get one, you will never sleep!! Imagine being up in the night with the baby, then an hour later having to get up to let the puppy out ( I have to let mine out twice during the night!) then baby waking up again. They are soooo much work I went again MN advice and got one, I love him to pieces but he takes up 50% of my time (3 DC's get the other 50%!) I dont get any 'me' time as its the only time I have quiet to train him. Its sooo much work and I can't imagine doing it with a newborn it would be like having 2!!

Emo76 · 08/03/2011 20:15

Is this a wind up? I can't believe you would seriously consider this. Not fair on the dog or your kids. Unless you have numerous staff to help you look after them all. Even then I'd say don't do it!

NinkyNonker · 08/03/2011 20:15

Just wait a while.

LaWeasel · 08/03/2011 20:31

Ah well, take heart at least you know yabu!

Original poster
FanellaFidget · 08/03/2011 22:58

Okay... so we;ve established puppy + newborn is a no go....so how old do you think? DC2 is 2 and I would think would be ok?

OP posts:
wellwisher · 08/03/2011 23:06

Have you considered trying to find a "pre-trained" older dog to adopt when the time is right? Agree with everyone else that you should wait at least a year before bringing a dog into the house though...

FabbyChic · 08/03/2011 23:24

When the youngest is 3 be neat. If you get a puppy it will grow with you, if you have a busy house and running around kids, the dog will be like that too. They adapt to the family.

I can suggest a Westie they are so loving, mine sleeps all day after being walked, loves fuss and never barks or bites.

majormayhem · 09/03/2011 07:27

Our DD1 was about 18 months when "surprise puppy" came home to us, and she was over the moon. Because he's so small, we didn't have to worry about him knocking her over or anything and she was old enough to participate in training, etc.

What really helped was getting him a kennel with a comfy bed off out of the way and teaching the girls that they aren't to go near it. That way puppy always has a safe and secure space to retreat to when he's had enough. (And at various times I've found it useful to tell him to go in his bed when everybody was getting too excited or if he's being sneaky around their food.)

DD did go through a phase at 2.5 of wanting to pick him up and carry him, but we soon got her through that.

Agree with FabbyChic about Westies--Great dogs.

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